Update on our little guy Ash

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Gamora

Gamora

Member Since 2016
Update:

So it has been almost a full week since our daily routine has changed to accommodate Ash’s new reality and I believe we have been adapting well. Ash has weened himself off the dry food, won’t even touch it anymore so we have taken it away and have increased the amount of wet food we give him to compensate. Also now testing different Wet foods as it looks like Canada is also starting to get plagued with the Fancy Feast formula change. I’m also looking forward to him gaining his weight back. Being a Siamese mix he is naturally skinny but in the past few weeks before his diagnosis he lost so much weight. His fur is already starting to look fluffy again.:cat:

We started home testing and have learned a lot from everyone here (big thank you to all of you). His numbers are all over the place and I can’t really see a pattern yet, but I assume we are still early in the game for that. :nailbiting: We have had to skip 2 shots due to low and very low numbers then he shot up high again. Testing is sometimes a challenge as he sees us coming now, but knows food will follow. We’ve only had a really tough time getting his ear to bleed once. We are getting the hang of it slowly.

With all this happening I was also starting to get very worried about a 3 week trip Hubby and I have in May. Aside from my usual day job I am also an author :bookworm: and am scheduled to attend a book conference in Atlanta, and then we are going to New Orleans for 2 days and then Disney World for a week. My anxiety kicked in I started wondering if I was going to have to cancel everything or what in the heck we were going to do… but I am relieved to know that a friend I trust wholeheartedly has accepted the challenge of house sitting and learning to take care of Ash while we are away this spring. You have no idea how much stress just came off my shoulders this morning when I got that answer. She is used to house sitting for us from back when my Labrador retriever was still with us, he was also special needs, so she also knows Ash very well as he was around during that time too.:cat:

To those who recommended the freeze dried treats, Ash thanks you so much…he was so excited and lively for his 2 little treats at bed time last night.:bighug:

I think we, including Ash, are settling into our new routine. Ash is loving all the extra attention and is loving the wet diet so far.

Again thank you for all your help everyone. You all managed to keep my anxiety disorder tamed during this hard transition. You've all been Awesome!!
 
I'm so glad you have a friend who is willing to learn how to look after Ash when you go on your trip. I think it's important for owners to find ways to work around the FD so they can have a life. You have a lot of time ahead to teach your friend what needs to be done. If you decide later on that you'd like to give her another ear to listen if she has questions or concerns please PM me. I'd be willing to be a telephone resource for her and, as you know, I'm in Ottawa too.
 
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You are doing great and I am delighted to hear you have a friend willing to look after Ash in your absence. I was lucky to find a dear friend willing to look after my girl when I had to go away and I know how much that relieved my angst about going. I started training with my friend a few months in advance so that both my friend and Menace were very comfortable with the process and one another by the time I left.

First I taught my friend about testing and shooting by demonstrating, then I had her test and give shots with me present to assist if need be. We did a few "dry" runs where my friend would come over at shot time, I'd leave and wait outside and let my friend to test and shoot without me present to make sure my usually co-operative Menace wasn't going to start living up to her name when I was gone. Finally, I arranged for my friend to come in to the house to test and shoot on her own with me already absent for awhile to make sure Menace wasn't going to hide somewhere when she came in on her own.

I left copious notes/instructions for my friend and made sure my vet had her name and my credit card number in case of an emergency. My cat is a high dose gal whose insulin requirements can change on a dime so I stayed in daily contact with my friend so she didn't have to make any dosing decisions on her own. That way I felt like I still had some control of the situation and wasn't putting undue pressure on my friend due to my somewhat unusual circumstances.
 
you're doing everything right, I remember so well how overwhelming it can be. Angel's just come out of remission and starts insulin again tomorrow and I'm anxious and worried even though I did it for 3 months. Hoping Ash improves and goes into remission x
 
You are doing all the right things for Ash. During the early days it is sometimes hard to see a pattern, but Ash is responding nicely to the insulin and with the removal of dry food from the diet, you may start to see better numbers. Trying to find the right wet food that will be accepted by your kitty can be challenging at times. The PC pate food is acceptable as is the Co-op pate.

At this point Ash is showing promise and since this is still really just the start for Ash, don't get too concerned if the numbers are not perfect...it does take some time. As far as your trip(s) in May...that is a LONG time off and certainly not to worry about at this point. A lot can happen between now and then and with your continuing care maybe Ash will be nicely regulated or even in remission by then (anti-jinx)

For the time being give yourself a big pat on the back for doing all the right things and relax and breathe!! :bighug: :bighug:
 
Even if your good friend has given the shots a few times, I would leave out a sample syringe with some colored water or juice in it, and tell her to compare her dose of insulin to the sample syringe. Just err on the side of safety.
That is very nice of you @Kris & Teasel to lend your support too.
 
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